Teacher Rivalries

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I had Potions the next day, which Hermione had been driving me and Malfoy mad talking about. As she sat in the classroom next to me while we waited for class to start, she absentmindedly tapped her foot on the floor to the beat of some muggle song. The teacher flew in with his cloak flying behind him. "I am professor Snape. I will not accept any joking in this class, and anyone who try's will be sorry." He flicked his wand at the board, and directions appeared. "Try not to mess this up. It's the most basic potion. Begin."

Hermione was amazing at this. Every time I tried to stir counterclockwise, or add three mandrake leaves instead of two, she set me straight. I could already tell without her, I would have somehow destroyed the cauldron, the table, and a five foot vicinity around my table. Although Snape hates all the Gryffindor, he seemed to have a special disgust toward me. But it was nothing compared to the glares he sent Harry. He would stalk around the room, stopping to criticize the students, but he would stay for a while longer at me and Hermione's table. By the end of the class, I was ready to accept my fate of failing this class. Hermione, of course, loved it. She skipped out of the classroom. "I can't believe it! That class is so cool!" I nodded. "But the teacher-" "Oh, he's scary alright. I hope he leaves soon. He seemed to hate us particularly. That's odd, isn't it?" I sighed. "Bet it's got something to do with him being the head of Slytherin, and me being a terrible potion brewer." She grabbed my hand, and gave it a quick, friendly squeeze. "It'll get better, Nev, I'm sure. Have fun in Defense class!" I waved goodbye, and sulked off to the staircase.

Defense class was an entertaining class. Harry made sure of it. He was scolded constantly for calling Professor Pettigrew Wormtail. Today, he had caused the professor's book to spark loudly whenever he turned his back, making the professor jump and squeak in surprise. Even at the best of times, the professor was jumpy. When the bell rang, he fell out of his chair with a screech, then waved his hand with a muffled "Go." I ran out the door to meet Hermione and Malfoy for lunch, but I bumped into someone heading out. My eyes widened as I looked up into the sneering face of Snape. "I knew you were hopeless at even the most basic of Potions, Longbottom, but how was I to know you were hopeless at even the most basic of human life skills? Now, move, I must speak to Professor Pettigrew." He slammed the door in my gaping face. A felt a hand grip my shoulder, and I let out a pitiful scream. "Chill, Neville, it's me. What just happened?" It was Draco and Hermione. I explained in between shuddering breaths, and their eyes widened. Draco pressed his ear against the classroom door. "What are you doing?" Hermione whispered. "Do you know how much trouble we could be in if they caught you?" Draco waved a hand to quiet her. His eyes got wider and more fearful the longer he listened. He suddenly bolted up and motioned for us to follow him. He ran and hid around the corner. "What was it?" Hermione asked. "Well, by the sounds of it, those two have a history together. Something about "you and your friend's gang nearly got me killed, Peter, so you owe me. This is how you repay that debt." Shoot, now I wanna know the story behind that." I nodded. "Probably nothing good. But if one professor is threatening another, should we tell Dumbledore?" Hermione shook her head. "No, we need to get the full story first. Maybe find out what happened that nearly got Snape killed, and what he's blackmailing Professor Pettigrew to do. It could be something harmless." Draco nodded seriously. "Yes Hermione, because Snape would threaten another teacher to make them get him a pastry. That's all." Hermione smacked his shoulder. "Ow! Watch it!" She grabbed our hands and dragged us in the direction of the Great Hall. "C'mon, we can watch them at lunch."

Nothing seemed out of the normal for the rest of the day. Draco said Snape acted himself in his Potions class, and Hermione said Pettigrew acted himself in her class. We decided to let it slide for now, but keep an eye on them. Days passed, with no occurrences. We were in the library, when Flitwick walked in. Hermione bolted up to talk to him about some homework or something, and came back pale. "He mentioned something about Pettigrew's past. Something about his tattoo." I stared at her. "I though you were talking about homework, not conspiracies." She blushed. "Well, you see, I overheard him, I was not eavesdropping, I overheard him talking to Madame Pince." Malfoy snickered. "Yah, sure, "overheard". But a tattoo from his past? Unless he's a deatheater, I wouldn't think the staff would care that much." She nodded. "I doubt it though. I read about how they test all possible teachers for any connection to Voldemort, through some magical scanner test. I doubt that Pettigrew could get past Dumbledore, much less McGonagall." I laughed. "I'm pretty sure any reasonable wizard is afraid of her. But really, Voldemort couldn't be back, right?" Malfoy shook his head. "My father would be acting up if he was. I'm sure you've heard of his past?" We nodded. Hermione patted his shoulder awkwardly.  Malfoy stood up abruptly and clapped his hands. "I'm going to call this a night. Talk to you two tomorrow." He ran out quickly, forgetting his book. Hermione picked it up sadly. "I'll return this to him tomorrow. I feel bad. I've read about Mr. Malfoy. He has to live in the shadow of him." She returned to studying (for what, I have no idea), and I returned to reading.

That night, as I headed back to Gryffindor tower, I heard something in Professor Pettigrew's room. "What do I do? I want to serve you, but I do owe him a debt." The voice wasn't Pettigrew's, though. Probably some old ghost.  "Do both." A hissing voice responded. I slowly approached the door. A shadowy figure stood in front of a mirror, with his back to me. I couldn't tell who it was, but it was definitely still alive, and definitely not a ghost. I ran back to my common room before the person could see me, and stayed there, under my blankets for the rest of the night.

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